Egypt to launch new satellite in 2019

Egypt will launch a new Russian-made spacecraft in 2019, Russian News Agency (TASS) reported on Tuesday.

In an interview with TASS on Tuesday, the Chief Executive Officer of Russia’s Rocket and Space Corporation (RSC) Energia, Vladimir Solntsev, said on Tuesday that the company will produce EgyptSat-A satellite instead of the previously failed EgyptSat-2. He added that the remote-sensing satellite is scheduled to be launched in 2019.

“We have already started producing the spacecraft. Its launch is scheduled in 2019”, Solntsev said.

EgyptSat-A should replace EgyptSat-2 satellite produced by Russia, communications with which was lost in April 2015. RSC Energia said it started producing EgyptSat-A at the expense of the insurance coverage for the lost satellite in May 2016. The equivalent cost of new work amounts to approximately $100 mln, according to TASS.

The satellite will be fitted with advanced optical-electronic system and onboard control package. High-speed onboard radio link and improved solar batteries.

The Russian space company said that the share of Russian components in EgyptSat-A will orbit much higher than in EgyptSat-2, including X-band transmitters.

Last July, RSC Energia revealed that it has signed a deal worth U.S.$100 million to help build the EgyptSat-A, replacing the failed EgyptSat-2.

According to RSC officials, the new remote-sensing satellite is planned to be built for Egypt’s National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences (NARSS).